ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in North Carolina

8 Colleges in the United States
$24,491 Avg Student Debt
$54,188 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Badge [Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 16
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.11), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 12
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 12 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 12
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in North Carolina

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Pembroke the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in North Carolina. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,525. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $47,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #4. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $47,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Western Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $47,641 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

7

Appalachian State University placed #7 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,992. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

North Carolina Central University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $31,173. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $47,538 early in their careers. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #9 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,118. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #10 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,900. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $49,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University landed the #12 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #173
View All Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options